Filter fabric structure and process of making same



1950 J. OVERBEKE 2,517,704

FILTER FABRIC STRUCTURE AND PROCESS OF MAKING SAME Filed Oct. 13, 1945 I 2 Sheets-Sheet l I INVENTOR. (/Ol/A/ OVEEEE/(E J. OVERBEKE 2,517,704

FILTER FABRIC STRUCTURE AND PROCESS OF MAKING SAME Aug. 8, 1950 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Oct. 13, 1945 INVENTOR. /axl/s/ Ou 5545 BY m gi/7W patented Aug. 8, 1950 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE r FILTER FABRIC S'lJRUCTURE ANDLPROCESS i OF MAKING SAME John Over-lactic, Cleveland Heights/Ohio Anplication October 13, 19.45,:SerialtNoa622Jr97 .13 Claims. (015210 169) "1 v2 My invention relates tor fabric structuresrand Figure 7.11s aview illustratinga further stepin more p ul y to a ri s u u s whe in a my:methodtofcmaking the improved structure; \fabricwcondult or tube i joined totarfabric wall Figure .lB-illustrates alsubsequentstepin my immember in communication with an opening. in proyed 'method; the wall member, such-as in a filter or similar 5 iliig urei'a illustrates anothersubsequent step in .structure,andxis related .totheygprocess oimaking my improved method; and such a fabric-structure. Figure illustrates another subsequent step .An object of my invention :is to,-1provide:animin the carrying out of my improvedinethod. .rproved fabric. structure having improved strength Referring to th views of Figures 1 2 and .3 and durability. m .thereis shown .afabricconduit. or tube-H. At .rmothertobject. is \to rprovide an i efficient joint opposite ends rof the tube 1H there are. two spaced .or connection between :atfabric conduitnor tube fabrictwall members-tor flat sheets l't. theuse rand a flat wail member. r of my fabric construction in a; filtering apparatus, rnnotherlobject isltheprovision for the improved theconduit H and wvalls l tearetmade. of r a. fabric .Fsecurementzof the. end of a conduit or tube com is rappropriate for theifiltering to be performed; and :posed of fabric or textile to tarflat member. or sheet r by 'way of example may be; canvas, r twill, felt. or :ralso composed of fabrica cr textile. other textile and may be a treated fabric ormnot, :Anothertcbjectis themrovisionaofran improved according to the filteringtrequirements. sThe vtwo conduit connecting tworfabricwall members. Wall members It have'holes or openings therein Another object is :theimrouisionof an improved gowof similar size and arranged in alignment with fabric structure fOI'XEn filter or like structure. eachlother. ,Thetube i ljoinsthe two wall mem- Anotherwobject is "thQlPI'OViSlOIl of .animproved r bers around the circumference of rthese holes or processfor makingtthendescribed structure. openings to .place the holes or openings in direct Another objectxcis theprovlsionof an improved communication. As the. sizeand outer extremes .imethod of assembling. and securing together a 5 Of the Wall members Niare immaterial to the na- .iabric conduit or tubetoa wall member. tLlIeuOflthe invention, thewvalltmembers Iii are .Another object: is therprovision ofwanr improved qishownacuttaway at a distance from the tube ll. process for mounting a fabric :conduit or :tube The "Warpandweft in the fabric of tube H is between.spacedlwail-members of=fabricutoplace 011M211 bias to theflongitudinal axis .of tube ll. 1 openingzsin the! wailnmembers .in communication. gossimilarly, thewarp and weft of the fabric. is on .Otherobjects and-a rfuller understanding of my tatbias to. the edge of the fabric at; the ends of inventionmaybe had by referringto theiattached the. tube ll joining the Wall members I6. r drawings in which: iIn vmY'iHVEDtlOII, the opposite end portions of Figure Lis aside "view of. my improved fabric tube ll are flared radially, outward to form the structure looking intorthe sideroftthe conduitor :flanges l2on theends of tube II- and the flanges tubular member, and showing. portions of the side I2 extendacontinuously aroundtthe tube I I withwallscutaway at the endsthereol as unnecessary out fsnips or pie-cuts therein. It is possible for the illustration. of my invention; to havethe flanges l2 extendout atright angles (Figuredisalongitudinal sectional viewthrough to the body of the tube IL in this manner only .Figure 3 in. the direction of the arrow 2-2; abecause of ;ther-bias-cut attheends of the tube Figure 3 is an end View of the structuretshown ti i. By having :the warp .and weft of the fabric inFigure lloolcingrin the direction of the arrows at the ends of the -tube disposed on :a bias the 33, and is a view of a portion of a Wall member fabric may bestretchedrand fiared at the ends to with unnecessary parts cut away and. is a view formrthe flanges lirwithout .cuttingit and withlooking throughthe open. conduit or tube; 0111: rupture. Werethe ends of the tube ilqnot Figure 4 i a iew of at difi d my cut one biasas described it would not'bepossistructure as shown in Figures 1, 2, and Sand bleor-practicalto form the flange-s [2 extending lustrates two conduits or tubes of different sizes runinterrup y l e fi fer ce Of he arranged in series; r tube. The :continuous and uninterrupted nature Figure 5 illustrates aflat pieceof fabric oritexof-the fiange li2 istsuch that there are no holes, the out of which the conduit or tube ofmy struccracks, orleaks through :the flanges 5.2 as would ture maybe formed, the piece of fabric or textile .bepresent where .snipsflor ipie-cuts arewused. being woven onabias torthe edges ofathepiece; nfabricor cloth washer l3 of annular shapewis Figuresfitto -10, inclusive, illustrate, steps r ofia mounted around each-endof tube II and adjatprocess -which maybe utilized toiadvantage in 5. cent theflange l2. Theyvashers l3 overlap the making. my improved structure, therviews of these dges f eflanges l2 and eng ge the Wall memsteps being illustrative rather than limiting in bers? [Grill the region beyond .the circumferenceof nature; the flanges l2. The inner diameter of the wash- Figure 6 illustrates the step of forming a con- .ers I3 is approximately thesameasrthe outer .diduit or tube out of the material shown in Figure ameteriof the tube 1 l. The outer diameter of the -5rby rolling and sewinsithersame as shown; was hers l3.-:is=s0mewhat-;more thanthe outer di- 3 lineter of the flanges I 2 so as to overlap the edge of the flanges I2. The washers I3 are flat pieces of fabric conformed to the other parts with which they are in engagement.

A thin layer of glue or other suitable adhesive 22 is positioned between the washers I3 and flanges I2 to provide adherence between the two. Another thin layer of glue or. other suitable adhesive 23 is positioned between the flanges I2 and the wall members It. other adhesives 22 and 23 extend continuously around the circumferential extent of the flanges I2.

Threaded stitching or sewing I5 extends through the washers I3, flanges I2, and wall members I6, respectively, completely around the circumferential extent of the flanges I2. The stitching I5 is sufficiently close and tight as to firmly and securely bind the parts together without cracks or leakage therebetween.

An annular row of stitching or sewing I I tightly secures the washers I3 to the Wall members I6 at the outer peripheral edges of the washers I3. The stitching I4 extends around the circumferential extent on the outer edge of the washers I3.

The annular row of stitching I5 is referred to as the inner stitching and the annular row of stitching I4 is referred to as the outer stitching. Stitching I4 and I5 is of the zig-zag variety and preferable form, as shown in Figure 3, and tightly binds the parts together in firm securement and without openings or gaps.

As the layers 22 and 23 of glue or other adhesive are for the primary purpose of maintaining the parts in position during the sewing of the stitch rows I I and I5, it may be that in filtering some materials the glue or other adhesive 22 and 23 may dissolve or otherwise disappear in time. It is therefore to be understood that the glue or adhesive layers 22 and 23 may not always be present. In most instances the stitching I4 and I5 may be depended upon to provide a tight and secure engagement between the parts throughout use of the structure. The layers of glue or other adhesive 22 and 23 may persist and. be present and for filtering some materials it may be preferable to use a non-dis solving glue or other adhesive which will remain present and afford additional sealing effects.

It will be readily understood for purposes of clarity in illustration that the thickness of the parts has been exaggerated and the spacing is not necessarily proportional.

As shown and described, there is thus provided an improved fabric structure and particularly an improved connection or joint provided between the tube II and the wall members I6. Leakage and wear is considerably reduced and an eflicient and durable fabric structure, such as when utilized in a filter, is provided. The improved fabric structure is advantageous in many respects and its utility for all uses where appropriate will be readily understood.

In Figure 4, there is a modified form of structure embodying principles of my invention. In Figure 4, the right-hand wall member, denoted by the reference character I'I, extends inwardly and has a smaller opening than the left hand wall member I6. The tube or conduit I8 of reduced diameter is joined to the wall member I! in communication with the small opening therein in the same manner as described for the tube II and wall member IS in connection with Figures 1, 2, and 3. As thus shown in Figure 4, a series of tubes varying in diameter may be The layers of glue or 4 mounted in a series by means of my improved connecting means. The tube I8 is similar to tube I I as also being cut on a bias and having a flange formed on its end by flaring the bias-cut end.

In Figures 5 to 10, inclusive, there is illustrated a series of steps which may be followed in my improved method of joining a fabric tube to a fabric Wall member. As shown in Figure 5, a fiat piece of suitable fabric or textile material may be used to form the tube II. The piece of fabric is cut diagonally to the warp and weft of the fabric so that the top edge I9 and bottom edge 20 may be said to be cut on a bias. The piece of material shown in Figure 5 is then rolled into a tube or cylinder as shown in Figure 6, the edges I9 and 20 forming the ends of the tube. The tube II is held in a formed and closed position by the longitudinal stitching or sewing 2I, also of the zigzag type. It is to be understood that the tube II does not necessarily have to be made of flat pieces of fabric but may be made of a long fabric hose or tubing. Such a long hose or tubing as is suitable for my invention is woven on a bias, that is, the warp and wait of the fabric in the long hose or tubing is disposed on a bias to the longitudinal axis of the hose or tubing. When the tube II is made from long hose or tubing rather than formed from a flat piece of material, the long hose or tubing woven on a bias is cut up into suitable lengths to form the tube I I. In such a case, the stitching 21 as shown in Figure 6, would not be present.

In Figure 7, the next step in my improved process is shown. The bias-cut ends of the tube I I are flared radially outward of tube I I to form flanges I2 on opposite ends of the tube. It is possible to form a flange I2 without snips or pie-cuts because the disposition of the warp and weft of the fabric being on a bias permits the end edges to be stretched and extended outwardly without tearing. Having flanges I2 extend continuously around by such stretching and flaring not only reduces the labor involved but also assures that there are no leaks or gaps in the flanges around the tube. If there were such gaps as would be occasioned by snips or piecuts, there would be grave danger that the stitching I5 would miss closing such gaps completely and a leaky opening would be possible.

By my method of forming the flanges, a tight sealed connection is made possible.

A subsequent step of my method is illustrated in Figure 8. Here a thin coating of glue or other adhesive 22 is placed on one side of the flange I2 and the fabric washer I3 is placed down over the flange I2 around the tube II in contact with the said adhesive layer 22. The adhesive 22 firmly binds the flange I2 to the inner peripheral portion of the Washer I3.

A subsequent step is shown in Figure 9 wherein the tube II and washer I3 are placed adjacent a wall member I6 with the tube I I in register with the opening in the wall member I6. Another layer 23 of glue or other adhesive is applied between the flange I2 and wall member IE. Thus the washer I3, the flange I2, and the wall member I6 are held in firm and fixed position by the layers 22 and 23 of glue or other suitable adhesive. The principle function of the glue or other adhesive is to' firmly hold the parts in a fixed position while putting the parts through the sewing operation. Without being thus held adhesively during the sewing operation, the tube II willkink and twist relative to the Wall mema rmail-4 ber 16. Such drinking and twistlng of tube Fl makes it extremlydlflicult and almostimpossible "to properly sew together the washer l3, flange l2, and wall member l6. However, by having the adhesivehold the parts securely-during the sewing "operation there is no wrinkling of the fabric, no kinking 0r twistingyand no 'uneveness in the sewing.

Thesubsequentstep of sewing or stitching the "parts togeth'eris shown in Figure 10. The inner annular row of stitching "-1 5 'extencls through the washer l3, flange l l and-thewall member I 6 im: mediately next to the opening inthewall mem- "ber it. The outer *annularring of stitching l4 secures the washer Win overlapped position over the edge of the flange '12 to the wall member I6. As shown in Figure 3, the stitching M and I5 is preferably of the zig-zagtype withthe stitches close together and tightly holding the fabric parts together. By the arrangement shown, "rough edges are eliminated and-there isa free uninterrupted flow provided "between the opening in wallmember t6 and thetubell. The adhesiveinthe layers 22 and 23may'be dissolvable for some uses and disappear. In other uses, the adhesive may not dissolve and maybe retained in position to further seal the parts together, In those useswherein'the adhesive may dissolve and is not necessary'in'use for sealingpurposes, the stitching seam of a tight .close kind holds the overlapped fabric parts together "in a tight connection. The layersEE and 23 being very thin do not loosen the hold of the stitches upon dissolving. .Asstated, theprimary function of the layers '22 and 23 of adhesive .isto hold the parts in firm engagement during assembly and particularly during the stitching operation.

In the utilization of my improved fabric structure ina filtering apparatusthe. peripheral edges of sheets it are secured to opposite walls of an enclosed chamber ofa filtering apparatus so as to divide the chamber into compartments separated by sheets l6. Itis understood that there may be any desired number of conduits H connecting .the sheets 56. Since the sheets T6 are spaced ,from each other thereis an intermediate compartment provided between sheets 16 as well as spaced compartments .on the outer sidesof sheets 16. The .condu'itsjll ,provide open communica- .tion between the spaced compartments provided on the outer sides of. sheets iii. .The fluid containingmaterial to be filtere'd out, as for exam- ;.ple, water containing dirt, .may beintroduced into the intermediate compartment. The water orother fluid will seep through the fabric of the sheets It and conduit ll into the spaced compartments and the dirt or'other filterable material retained in the intermediate compartment. 01' the operation maybe reversed by introducing the fluid containing filterable material into the opposite spaced compartments and the fluid after filtering through the fabric enters the interme- "diate compartment. Suitable supporting or bracling members may be utilized-for' aiding in holding the-sheets apart inparallel relationship.

There is thus shown an improved fabricvstruc- Iture and'an improved method of making it'which is'important and useful in manyrespects, such as for utilization in filters and lothendevices, wherein a tube or conduit is connected to a wall memher and particularly to a wall member havingan opening registering with the Itubepr conduit.

though I have described:my*invention1 in its preferred form with a certain degree of particularity, it is understood that the present disclosure of the preferred form has'bee'n made ornate-way of *example and trial; numerous changes in the details of construction and' the combination and arrangement of parts may *be resorted towithout departing from the 'spirit and-the scope of the invention as hereinafterclaimed. A

What is claimed is:

1. A "fabric structure comprising, in combination, a=pair *of fiat fabric mem'bersspaeed from each other and substantially parallel to "each other, said fabric members having "openings :therein substantially in alignment, -a tubular continuous around the circumferential dimension of the flanges, said flangesb'eing disposed substantially parallel to and adjacent opposing facesof said fiat members, apair offabric washer members disposed around said tubular member and next adjacent said flanges, respectively, said flanges being disposed, intermediate said fiat members and said washers, respectively, and threads sewn through said flat members, said flanges and said washers to secure said flat members, said flanges and said washers together to form said structure.

2. A fabric structure comprising, in combination, a tubular fabric member having its threads disposed at an acute angle to a plane disposed at right angles to thelongitudinal axis of the tubular member, said tubular member being stretched .radially outward at the ends thereof to provide flanges extending continuously around said tu- I bular member and integral therewith, a pair of fabric wall members disposed at an angle to the .axis of said tubular member and adjacent said flanges, said wall members having openings registering with said tubular member, a pair of fabric washers disposed adjacent said flanges, re-

sheets at said openings to provide communication between said openings, the said fabric cylinder having its ends cut on a'bias to the longitudinal axis of the cylinder and flared out to pro- 'vide.a flange extending uninterruptedly around 'each of said ends, said flanges being abutted against said sheets around saidopenings, a teartile fabric washer around each end of said cyl- 'inder and over-laying-the .outer peripheral edge of said flanges, and threads securing said flanges, washers and sheets, respectively, together continuously around said cylinder.

4. A fabric structurefor utilization in a filte vsaid structure comprising two textile fabric ,sheets having aligned openings therein and a hollow cylinder of textile fabric joining said sheets at said openings'to provide communication between said openings, the said fabric cylinder having its ends cut onia bias to the longitudinal axis of the cylinder and flared out to provide a flange extending uninterruptedly around each of said ends, said'flanges being abutted against said sheets around said openings, a textile fabric washer around each end of said cylinder and over-laying the outer peripheral edge of said flanges, adhesive material adhering said flanges, washers and sheets, respectively, together, and threads stitched through said flanges, washers and sheets, respectively, around the circumferential extent of said cylinder to join the same together.

5. The process of making a structure having a conduit connecting with a wall member at an end of the conduit, comprising: providing a fabric wall member; providing a piece of fabric; cutting said piece of fabric on a bias at an end thereof; forming said piece of fabric into a conduit with said bias cut at an end thereof; stretching the fabric of said conduit at said end to flare the said end of the conduit; and connecting the flared end of the conduit to said wall member around the conduit.

6. The process of making a structure having a fabric tube connecting with an opening in a wall mem ber, comprising: providing a wall memher with an opening therein; forming a fabric tube having n end thereof cut on a bias; flaring said bias-cut end to form a flange extending continuously around said tube; and securing said flange to said wall member around the periphery of said opening.

7. She process of making a, structure having a fabric tube connecting with the opening in a fabric wall member, comprising: forming a fabric tube having the warp and weft on a bias to the longitudinal axis of said tube; stretching an end of said tube radially outward to form a, flange on 'said end; applying adhesive and adhering said flange to the wall member around said opening; and sewing said flange to the wall member around said opening.

8. The process of making a structure having a fabric tube connecting with the opening in a fabric wall member, comprising: forming a fabric tube havin an end thereof cut on a bias; flaring the bias-cut end to form a flange; providing a fabric washer; placing said flange adjacent said Wall member around said opening; placing said washer around said tube and adjacent said flange; applying adhesive to adhere said wall member to said flange and said washer to said flange; and sewing said wall member, flange and washer together around said opening.

9. The process of making a structure having a fabric tube connecting with the opening in a fabric wall member, comprising; forming a fabric tube having the warp and weft thereof disposed on a bias to a plane passing through an end of the tube; flaring said end to form a flange; placing said flange adjacent the wall member around said opening; providing a fabric washer; placing said washer adjacent said flange; adhering said wall member, flange and washer together with adhesive: and sewing said wall member, flange and washer together around'said opening and along the inner periphery of said washer and said wall member and washer together along the outer periphery of said washer.

10. The process of forming a structure having a fabric conduit connecting in communication openings in spaced fabric-wall members, comprising: forming a fabric conduit having ends cut on a bias to the planes of the respective wall members; flaring said ends to form flanges on opening;

the ends of theconduit; providing a pair of fabric washers adapted to surround said conduit; as-

sembling said conduit, wall members and washers adjacent said flanges, respectively, to overlap said flanges; applying adhesive to adhere said conduit, wall members, and washers together; and sewing the inner edge portion of the washers, the flanges and the wall members, respectively, together, and the outer edge portion of the washers and the wall member, respectively, together,

11. The process of forming a connection between a fabric tubular member and a fabric wall member having an opening therein to provide communication between said tubular member and said opening, omprising: forming said tubular member to provide a, bias-cut edge on an end portion thereof; flaring said end portion to form a flange on said tubular member; abutting said flange against said wall member around said applying adhesive between said flange and said wall member; positioning a fabric annular member over said flange and around said tube; applying adhesive between said flange and said annular member; and sewing said wall member, said flange, and said annular member together, while adhered, around the circumference of said opening.

12. The process of making a filter fabric comprising: providing two spaced wall members of fabric material and having aligned openings therein; providing a sheet of fabric having ends cut on a bias; forming said sheet of material into a tube with bias-cut ends; flaring the biascut ends to form flanges; providing two fabric washers; placing said washers around said tube; abutting said flanges against the opposing faces of'said wall members and around said openings; applying adhesive to hold said flanges and wall members in position; positioning said washers adjacent said flanges and wall members; applying adhesive to hold said washers, flanges and wall members in position; sewing said washers, flanges and wall members together around the periphery of said opening; and sewing said washers and wall members together around the outer periphery of said washers.

13. The process of securing a fabric tubular member to a fabric wall member, comprising: forming a flange on an end of said tubular member, adhering with adhesive said flange to said wall member, and sewing the adhered flange and wall member to secure the same together.

JOHN OVERBEKE.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Stahl Mar. 7, 1944 

